Rendezvous

PATTA CAFE, CHAMPA GALI   Patta Cafe is hidden away in the most scenic of places that Delhi has to offer, Champa Gali. It's a beautiful cafe with loads of colors to boast. The open area outside the door is perfect for Instagram worthy content as well! As soon as you enter, the vibe calms you down. It's like you've been transported to some hillside café in the North Eastern foothills. The decor, the music, the food, Patta Cafe is all about the roots! Their menu justifies the same. They have a variety of cuisine including Tibetan, Naga, Bhutanese and Chinese. I would like to take this moment to first mention Tenzin, the friend of the owner who waited our table at Patta Cafe. He was the sweetest server possible. He suggested we try some of the more authentic dishes that they had to offer. So we went with what he suggested. We went for the Tsampa Shake, which I did not try at Ama Cafe in Majnu Ka Tila because they said it's made from wheat. But here I went with w...

THE CAKE BUCKS, PITAMPURA When it comes to vegetarian food, people usually think about leafy greens and bland proteins and stuff of peasants and slaves. (HOW DO VEGETARIANS EVEN BREATH THE SAME AIR AS MEAT EATERS?!) Especially in the northern areas of Delhi, in Pitampura, NSP or Shalimar Bagh, every vegetarian outlet has to offer something that sets them apart.  One particular outlet in Pitampura is changing the veg game by serving up some brilliantly inspiring dishes including kebabs, gravy momos, Bombay style chaat and house-made icecreams and shakes! The Cake Bucks , located in Pitampura, is a family style baked goods and confectioners shop. It also has some street food and chaat counters outside with tables to eat at. The prices are very minimal and pocket friendly when compared to other big names like Haldirams or Bikanervala. The food they offer is simple vegetarian streetfood with some innovation. We went in wanting to try a selection of dishes and c...

QDs RESTAURANT, LAJPAT NAGAR 2 Satyaniketan and GTB Nagar have really been the two markets where budget cafes and restaurants really flourish. QDs, a very well known student eatery, already has well established restaurants in the two aforementioned locations as well as one in Laxmi Nagar. The very successful franchise has now come to the hustle and bustle of Lajpat Nagar 2's Central Market. A prime location for any restaurant to flourish. However, as history suggests, the building they are in isn't very friendly. No other restaurant or cafe has stayed there for more than two years, the latest example being Starbucks that closed down prior to QDs being set up here. Maybe things end up better for QDs! I have been to QDs Restaurant a number of times since its opening, mainly due to the fact that the place is close by. Also, the food is cheap and it is lipsmacking! I'm writing this review only after close retrospect of all visits. THE AMBIENCE QDs Re...

Connaught Place, the heart of Delhi has a special aura about it. Whenever you come across people who're new to the Capital, the first place they want to go to is probably Connaught Place. And the hype has been due to the rise of the gastronomical extravaganza provided my multiple restaurants opening up in the beautiful white architecture! And one of these very hip establishments being, 38 Barracks. THE AMBIENCE A bright red exterior welcomes you to Block-L of CP's outer circle and the board reads 38 BARRACKS. The definition of Barracks being, "A large building housing a group of soldiers", which is justified by the look and feel of 38 Barracks. Beautiful decor that goes well with the interiors of a Military Base. Firearms on the walls, vintage paintings and a dark ambience sets the mood for the Fight For Food to come. The time I went to the place, they had live music. Which added to the occasion and set the pace for a good evening to come. The service i...

If you're in a Tandoori Momos Cult, you HAVE to try the ones they serve at QDs. Whether you like it or not, is a different story in the book. I don't want to make this review about the battle of Tandoori Momos in Delhi, but I have to. Because of the polarizing power of these maida-balls of goodness. A single person WILL NOT like both, the ones from QDs and the ones from Hunger Strike. There is a stark difference in the way both are prepared. QDs serves 6 pieces for 150 bucks. Pieces that are massive and dry. But will fill you up nonetheless. Hunger Strike, on the other hand, bathes it's Tandoori Momos in Ghee, Cream and all the tandoori goodness you associate with typical North Indian Tikka-Shikkas. 8 small, but heavy and creamy, pieces that will fill you up too. All for 100 bucks. It's the typical case of 'shaadi ka laddoo jo khaye wo pachtaye aur jo naa khaye wo bhi pachtaye'. You HAVE to travel across Delhi to pick your favorite. ...